The Jacksonville Jaguars promoted quarterbacks coach Bob Petrino
to offensive coordinator Friday, ending coach Tom Coughlin's
two-year stint in the position.
Petrino came to Jacksonville as quarterbacks coach two years
ago, when former offensive coordinator Chris Palmer left to coach
the Cleveland Browns.
There was wide speculation that Coughlin and Mark Brunell's
relationship was strained with Coughlin in charge of the offense.
Several times, Brunell has said he has a good relationship with
Petrino, who came to the Jaguars from Louisville.
After a 7-9 season, Coughlin said he would re-evaluate his role
as offensive coordinator, although he scoffed at any speculation he
would name a coordinator as a buffer between him and Brunell.
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life,"
Coughlin said the day after the season ended. "Do you think for
one minute that Mark's going to come into my office and say,
'That's part of my contract'? You ought to make it some kind of
joke, because that's what it sounds like."
Regardless of the reason, Brunell will have a new offensive
coordinator, and the timing is ripe.
Brunell and the team are expected to enter into new negotiations
this week. Brunell is scheduled to count $13 million against the
Jaguars salary cap in 2001, and if he doesn't renegotiate,
Jacksonville will have to trade him or release him.
In turn, Brunell's negotiations will affect the rest of the
team's offseason moves. Jacksonville is $35 million over the 2001
salary cap and must make several moves involving veteran players to
get under the cap.
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